Trisha Stevens, a mother of six from Oregon, has filed a $68.5 million lawsuit against Legacy Health and several Portland-area doctors, alleging that their negligence following a routine hysterectomy led to a devastating infection that resulted in the amputation of both her legs and one hand. The lawsuit claims that medical professionals ignored Stevens' complaints and delayed treatment, causing a cascade of life-altering complications.
Stevens underwent a hysterectomy on October 4, 2024, performed by Dr. Alvin Nakamura at Adventist Health in Portland. According to the lawsuit, pathology results from four days after the surgery indicated inflammation, but there is no record that Dr. Nakamura reviewed these results or informed Stevens. Approximately two weeks later, Stevens began experiencing severe abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding while attending her son's softball game. She contacted Dr. Nakamura's clinic, Bridgetown Medical Group, reporting the bleeding, a large blood clot, low-grade fever, diarrhea, and stomach cramping.
Through a nurse, Dr. Nakamura reportedly advised Stevens to monitor her bleeding at home and return only if she passed another clot. However, her condition rapidly deteriorated. That same night, Stevens was admitted to Legacy Mount Hood hospital, presenting with a racing heart, low blood pressure, rapid breathing, and significant blood loss. Hospital staff diagnosed her with peritonitis, lactic acidosis, acute kidney injury, bacteria in the bloodstream, and septic shock.
The lawsuit states that the on-call OB/GYN, Dr. Gregory Eilers, observed that the edges of Stevens' surgical closure were separated and appeared inflamed. Despite this, the suit alleges that Dr. Eilers did not recommend surgery or test for an intra-abdominal infection.
Over the subsequent weeks, Stevens' infection spread, leading to multiple organ failures. Both of her legs were amputated above the knee, and her right hand was amputated at the wrist. Portions of her left thumb and fingers also had to be removed. The infection caused tissue necrosis, resulting in the loss of parts of her lips and tongue, significant hair loss, and spinal cord damage, leaving her paraplegic.
"I came home having lost both of my legs and my right hand," Stevens told KGW. "My left hand was left unusable after the necrosis. I lost parts of my lips and tongue, and I live with paralysis in a body that no longer responds the way it once did."
The lawsuit claims that Legacy Health staff were negligent in delaying treatment for the abdominal infection and in managing Stevens' blood pressure. It also alleges that Dr. Nakamura and Bridgetown Medical were negligent for not evaluating Stevens or sending her to emergency care after she reported her post-operative symptoms.
Stevens' husband, Brian, now serves as her primary caretaker. The couple has stated that the home is not equipped for a wheelchair, presenting daily challenges. Stevens expressed the profound loss of independence, stating, "I did not fight this hard simply to remain alive while life happens around me. I survived because I desperately want to live it and God saved me!"